Article on the pass law deputation in July 25, 1889

Pirie was, on Thursday last, the scene of a large representative and important gathering of Natives of the district of King William's Town to hear the Native Deputation to Cape Town on the Native Pass Bill give an account of their stewardship. Rev. Elijah Makiwane having, at some length related the incidents of their sojourn in the Metropolis concluded by stating how kindly and courteously they had been received by the Government, and the lively interest shown by the people of the Capital in the success of their mission. The kindness and good will thus shown to them they regarded as intended for their people. That the people listened to the story of the Delegates with deep gratification goes without saying, and it might interest some if their feelings are given in their own simple and unadorned language. One sentiment seems to run through their utterances. The Natives had given up all hope that Government or Parliament would listen to anything they may ask and, by almost all, the Deputation was looked upon as a sort of wild goose errand. To such depths of despondency had the Native people succumbed as regards anything good being done for them by the Government? The news, then, that the Deputation had to tell them had the effect of reviving hope, and, doubtless, the relations subsisting between them and the ruling power will improve in a corresponding degree, to the advantage of the country. Thus out of evil good has come. For although the action of Government in this matter savours of "the setting up of a man of straw to knock him down," to achieve the result attained in the exercise is not a bootless one.

Tsewa Bhashe, an old man, who was the first to speak in succession to Rev. E. Makiwane and Mr. Tengo Jabavu, said he was thankful. He does not thank those to whom you had gone. You have been our feet. After this result he felt as if he will shake off some of the bodily afflictions from which he was then suffering. He was suddenly seized by the poetic fire and exclaimed:

Huku! Ndamtuma nmoto

Waya wadaka,

Ndeva nge ngnatguane

Lindixelela.

Tonyela Mabhengeza, another old man, discerned in this the fruits of educating of their children. It was in grave doubts they sent these children, and they had hearts to venture. It is quite in the hands of these white people to make us slaves. See what education has done.

Tangeni Tabona thanked heaven, which gave us the wisdom to give up these young men, and they have succeeded. Although you mention education it had not been sent.

Mbem Njikelana said, the meeting had to do with the expression of thanks, and it might perhaps be advisable to leave it to a committee, but they must have a fitting conclusion for this matter.

Green Sikondla was thankful to the young men before them. They have indicated the only way by which to fight the Government. I have always felt ill at ease about the way we fought Government. Today they have found a capital plan of campaign against the whites to fight them by means of the law. This is the first Deputation that has been sent to state the feelings of the community. If a similar thing had been done when the guns were taken, war would have been avoided. He related an account of what he gathered from one of the servants on Sir G. Sprigg's farm that he had accidentally met. He had inquired as to what sort of a master was on his farm, and the servant said he was a very good master and he could not account for the change now he is a ruler. The speaker concluded by saying we had not been acting constitutionally in seeking redress in the past.

After Jacob Dikweni, an old man, and S.H. Mnyanda had spoken.

W.K. Ntsikana made observations on the skepticism of many as to the good of sending to Government and dwelt strongly on the importance of education. He concluded by nominating a committee to convey to Government the thanks of the people.

S. Soojica seconded, and after a few more speakers P. Mali thought they would have commenced by congratulating these young men who had ventured where nobody had ventured and come back again. Thank you. Don't be tired even tomorrow. Thanks are also due to God. I lay not my hand only in thanking him, but go with my feet. He has changed the lion into a man.

Vecashe said these men come from a fight; and it is with feelings of veneration we now look upon them. They have taught us a very great lesson of which we had been previously ignorant. Whenever we felt aggrieved at what Government did to us we hurled the assegai, the result being orphans, but today a victory has been won although there are no orphans. At such a meeting all the Kafirs, the Tembus, and other Native races should have been present for what has been done has been done for all. We feel now we old people can depart in peace.

After J. Pamla and S. Sitela had spoken in a similar strain Craig, a son of Gaika, thanked Government at what has taken place, and expressed his feeling that the Kafir nation would never have been dispersed if the course that had been pursued in this matter had been resorted to.